Tava (Aρνί ταβάς)

This is a great dish for a Sunday afternoon when you have visitors. If your family are coming round, this is perfect as it is all in one dish and can go in the oven to cook while you tidy the house ;) 


Ingredients:


Shoulder lamb of about 1kg
1 kg of potatoes, cut into quarters
1 large onion, roughly chopped
1/2 cup of olive oil
large knob of butter
4 tomatoes, medium slices
1 table spoon of tomato puree
3 tablespoons coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Sea salt and pepper


Handful of fresh coriander to garnish


Preheat oven to 160°C.


Mix together the olive oil and the herbs and spices. Put the lamb in a large oven dish and massage with half of the oil mixture. Then arrange the onion slices and potatoes around in the dish and then add the rest of the olive oil mix and give them a sprinkling of sea salt and pepper. 

Now add the tomato slices and dot small amounts of butter on the top and cover the dish with foil. Place it in the oven for around 3 hours (now go and relax!). After 3 hours, turn up the oven to about 180°C and cook for another hour. Finally, remove the foil and cook for another 30-40 minutes on 200°C.


The lamb should be browned, cooked through and soft enough to melt in the mouth. This dish will definitely impress at a Sunday family gathering. 


Put a big Greek salad on the table with this dish and enjoy with a well-deserved glass of wine. Bask in the complements!